Neutral Drones have been spotted.
They stay airborne by hovering and fire laser cannons when threatened.
When destroyed, they explode without leaving a single trace behind.

[Confidential Intel]
It seems like they're vulnerable to AoE attacks.

We're changing up character selection for 4v4 Cobalt Protocol.
Here's how it'll work: a pool of random test subjects will be shown to your team. Selection from that pool works on a first come first served basis!
Keep in mind that you'll only be able to pick characters that you own or are in the weekly rotation.

After a period of time, your team will exchange unselected character pools with the enemy team, allowing each team to see and pick characters not selected by the other team.
Think wisely -- not choosing a certain character means the enemy team might pick them!

You can only select or re-select a character every 2 seconds. No spamming!

You'll only be able to select one core Augment (no sub-Augments) in Cobalt Protocol.
All Augments will be unlocked regardless of player account level.
Your choice will be locked in 5 seconds before the game starts. Don't run out of time!

As the game begins, players will select their desired equipment via a draft system.
Equipment is automatically equipped and will be drafted in the following order: Weapon > Chest > Head > Arm > Leg > Accessory.

For each equipment slot, you'll select a piece of gear from 3 choices.
Characters with mechanics that affect their equipment will have a slightly different drafting process. For example, Echion cannot select a weapon, Priya cannot select a head armor and Alex gets to draft an extra weapon.

What if you don't see the equipment you want? You can later get extra equipment at the synthesizer!

Heal Pack
Heal packs can be a game changer in the Cobalt Protocol since crafting food is heavily restricted.
Heal packs spawn at certain times, at specific locations, and are limited in number.
You and your allies will recover some HP and SP, and charge-based weapons will instantly recharge!

Shield Pack
Just like Heal Packs, Shield Packs spawn at certain times at specific locations.
Using a Shield Pack grants a shield to the user and nearby allies.

Heal Packs and Shield Packs can also be obtrained by slaying certain neutral units!

In Cobalt Protocol, there's many ways to earn Credits -- more so than Lumia Island!

To earn Credits:
-Kill (or assist in the kill of) a test subject
-Slay neutral units
-Wait for your Credit income, which is earned at regular intervals throughout the game
-Go on a kill streak, or shut down an enemy kill streak

Use your Credits at the synthesizer to purchase a variety of equipment, infusions, and items!

Synthesizer (Store)
There will be 3 random Infusions available for purchase in the Synthesizer.
Looking for a different Infusion? Use the reroll function!

Each player can have up to 3 unique Infusions. Some of them can be upgraded (max 3 upgrades).
Once you purchase an Infusion, you won't be able to exchange it!

Also, there are other items that might assist you in battle, so make sure to visit the Synthesizer when you've racked up those Credits!

Oh, right! Almost forgot to introduce Cobalt Protocol's exclusive active items.

Cobalt Blue applies Rolling Thunder to all allies.
The Rolling Thunder buff increases your movement speed over time. If you come into contact with an enemy, they'll take damage and get knocked back.
Enemies knocked back by Rolling Thunder will not be pushed through walls.

The Miniature Solar System activates a Black Hole that pulls everyone near the caster towards them.
Enemies who get sucked in are dealt true damage and become stunned for a period of time.
How you time this active skill matters though; the Black Hole won't affect Unstoppable enemies!

You'll find Defense Turrets in fixed locations in each team's base.
They activate as soon as an enemy gets within its detection range!

Defense Turrets use nano cell restoration technology to restore the HP and SP of allies within a certain range. They also increase allies' movement speed, so it might be advantageous to fight on your home base!

Defense Turrets are as big of a threat to enemies as they are a support for their allies.
Each consecutive shot from a Defense Turret deals increased damage, so you don't wanna get too deep into enemy turf!

Defense Turrets cannot be targeted, cannot take damage, and cannot be destroyed.
But you won't be able to rely on them when they deactivate in Phase 4!

There are Sector Roadblocks placed throughout the map in Cobalt Protocol.
Sector Roadblocks cannot be crossed by skills or active effects. Basically, no one will be able to get over them.

These Sector Roadblocks separate the map in Phase 1 so that the early game plays more like two 2v2 battles than one 4v4 battle.

Sector Roadblocks are removed as soon as Phase 2 starts, enabling everyone to traverse the map freely.

The Control Room is where you'll start each game and respawn in Cobalt Protocol.
Being killed mid-match sends you back to the Control Room.

You'll find the Teleporter and the Synthesizer in the Control Room.

[Teleporter]
The Teleporter deploys you back onto the battlefield after you're killed and revived.

[Synthesizer]
The Synthesizer is a store where you can purchase Infusions and all sorts of items with Credits.

The Deploying Loop is a machine that sends revived players back into combat from the Control Room.
Based on the game state, different locations will be available for you to spawn at.

Select your deployment location and re-enter combat!

Biosectors are located at the ends of the battlefield in Cobalt Protocol.
There you'll find mutants, who grant rewards like Credits and Heal Packs when slain.

Stronger mutants grant bigger rewards.

Wondering whether you should kill enemies or hunt mutants for maximum profit? The choice is yours!

Power Beacons are capturable objectives found in 3 locations.
Capturing a Power Beacon will grant your team additional vision as well as a unique buff, so be prepared to fight over them!

The team that successfully captures the Power Beacon will earn a score bounty after the required time to capture.

Just like Defense Turrets, Power Beacons cannot take damage or be destroyed.

Launch Pads are square shaped objects found all over the map.
Each Launch Pad has a fixed direction, meaning that you can't re-aim your trajectory.

Stand on a Launch Pad to fill its Power Gauge.
When the gauge is full, all test subjects standing on it will be launched at the destination!
Everyone (including your enemies) will get thrown over, so be careful!

Launch Pads might be useful in both engages and escapes!
After a Launch Pad has been used, it'll go on cooldown for a period of time. Launch Pads on cooldown will be visually distinguished from ones currently available.

That's right, Cobalt Protocol will have custom lobby support!
Cobalt Protocol can host a maximum of 8 players with a minimum of 2 players. Enjoy 1v1s, 2v2s, and more!
With a game mode that can support any even number of players, you won't need to post that you're 17/18 anymore!

As always, spectator mode will be available for players who just wanna sit back and watch the chaos unfold. Sounds like fun?

Cobalt Protocol officially releases on June 9th! (PT)
Bring your friends, family, pet boar, imaginary friend, and come experience Eternal Return's new 4v4 mode!

Finally... an android tougher than Wickeline herself!
It's known as Gamma-bot, a neutral objective that has a variety of tricks up their sleeve.

It uses a ranged laser rifle as its basic attack.
If its HP drops below a certain level, it'll fire a powerful laser cannon in a straight line.
With huge AoE damage that's fast to come out, Gamma-bot's capable of mass destruction!

Also, Gamma-bot is immune to crowd control. Don't waste your cooldowns trying to stun it!

There's no soil on Cobalt Protocol's map, which means bushes can't grow.
Don't worry though, Stealth Fields are here to take their place!

Stealth Fields act exactly the same as the bushes on Lumia Island.
Enemies outside the Stealth Field won't be able to spot those hiding in it.
A tip to pass Stealth Fields safely: Beware of the lurking Hyunwoo!